InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Into the East ❯ Worthless Blade ( Chapter 19 )

A/N 11/27/06: Fixed a few typos and added some minor details here and there

 

A/N: You're going to hate me…

 

 

 

Into the East

Chapter nineteen: Worthless Blade

Posted: 10 November 2006

Characters/Plot originally appearing in the anime/manga Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Everything else © me

 

 

 

“Well, are ya gonna answer me, or what?”

 

Sesshoumaru rose smoothly to his feet, and, with his hand resting easily on Tokijin, glared disdainfully at the intruder. “Good evening, Inuyasha.”

 

Vanessa watched the brothers stare each other down. For the moment, she thought it best not to interfere. Sesshoumaru, she trusted, but she wasn't so sure about Inuyasha. She was fairly certain that he wouldn't try to hurt her, not intentionally anyway. After all, Kagome trusted him with her life, but he did seem to have a temper and she didn't want to inadvertently increase the tension between the two.

 

As fate would have it, even in sleep, Rin seemed to have taken special notice of her lord's absence and sat up just when Vanessa thought sparks might fly between the brothers. She rubbed her eyes and yawned before mumbling, “S'shoumaru-sama?” Then she noticed Inuyasha and scrambled over to Vanessa, who put a protective arm around her. Together, they watched the brothers stare each other down.

 

Finally Inuyasha huffed and turned his nose up. “Keh, whatever. Just hurry up and move on.”

 

“Why, Inuyasha, you have learned some self-control.” Sesshoumaru smirked and seemed to enjoy the reaction he got from his half-brother.

 

“Argh! I'll show you self-control!”

 

Vanessa tensed and pulled Rin closer to her as Inuyasha reached for his sword, but before it ever left its scabbard, Sesshoumaru had the tip of Tokijin poised just under his chin. “Inuyasha,” he warned, “Just as the last time we were here, we come only to speak with your miko. Restrain yourself.”

 

“Inuyasha? Where did - Oh.” Kagome broke through the thick shrubs, carrying her huge yellow backpack, and stopped short. Vanessa saw Sesshoumaru's eyes flick toward the miko, and then he stepped back, sheathing his sword. “What did you say to him?” Kagome hissed at Inuyasha.

 

“What? Nothing!” the hanyou sputtered indignantly. “I only asked him what he was doing here. Bastard was egging me on.”

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed angrily, but he kept his peace and resumed his seat beside Vanessa and Rin.

 

“Please try to stay calm, Inuyasha,” Kagome said softly and laid her hand on his arm. Then more conversationally, she addressed Sesshoumaru, “So, Sesshoumaru… er… Sesshoumaru-sama, since you're already so close, why don't you come with us back to Kaede's?”

 

Sesshoumaru glanced over at Vanessa and Rin and shook his head. Rin was already drowsing again, now that the threat had gone, and somehow Jaken had slept through the entire thing. “No, we will stay here.” Vanessa thought it might have been nice to have a bed and a roof, but it was a clear night and she knew how Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru felt about each other, so she kept quiet. Then Sesshoumaru turned to her wearing an odd expression. “If you would like to go… You may.”

 

“Do you want to come back with us, Vanessa?” Kagome asked her in English.

 

Vanessa looked from one to the other, Kagome looking openly eager to spend some time with her again, while Sesshoumaru only watched her, revealing nothing. He had been that way since they left the palace. And then she glanced down at Rin. “If you don't mind,” she said a little hesitantly, not quite sure whom she was addressing exactly, “I think I'll stay here for the night. We're already settled, but we'll catch up with you in the morning, right?” She turned to Sesshoumaru, and he nodded once.

 

“Okay! It's good to see you again, Vanessa. Come on Inuyasha, let's get going.” The hanyou grumbled, but let himself be led away into the night.

 

“I wonder what they were doing out here,” Vanessa thought aloud.

 

“The well,” Sesshoumaru said and by the sound of it, thought he should have known better. “The well is that way,” he said, pointing in the direction that Inuyasha and Kagome had come from.

 

“Oh.” That would explain it. After all, they hadn't even checked to see if Kagome's group was back from their shard hunting.

 

“Vanessa,” he said slowly, “why did you not wish to go with Kagome?”

 

She shrugged. How could she tell him that she wanted to spend just a few more hours alone with him… well, relatively alone, but the others were sleeping. He'd think she was being silly, a `sentimental human,' but she couldn't make something up, he would know.

 

“I guess if I went there now, the fact that I'm leaving would seem more real.” It was the truth, at least… part of it.

 

Sesshoumaru watched her for a while and finally took a deep breath. “You don't have to go. Clearly, this decision pains you. I can feel it.” Almost as if he didn't realize he was doing it, his hand made its way to his chest, right over his heart, and Vanessa wondered for just a moment if there were more than just her feelings that he was sensing. “You have a place in my home,” he continued, dropping his hand to his lap, “but if you do not wish to stay, I will not make you.”

 

“Sesshoumaru, it's not that I want to leave, not exactly.”

 

“Then why?”

 

Could I tell him that I l- No, of course not! Don't be silly. “I have to go home. I've been here too long already. I don't expect you to understand my reasoning - I don't quite understand myself. It's just something I need to do. Please don't ask me any more than that.”

 

He opened his mouth as if to say more, but then shook his head. If anything, his gaze became even stonier, and when he did finally speak, there was a hard edge to his voice. “Go to sleep,” he said. “Tomorrow we find a way to send you home.” And that was the end of the conversation.

 

Vanessa laid down on her bedroll and curled up around Rin. Now she just had to think of how to tell her that she was leaving. She fell into a restless sleep, but when she was gently shaken awake in the morning, she could remember nothing of what she dreamt.

 

“We will join them at their breakfast,” Sesshoumaru said quietly and then roused the others. Vanessa yawned and stretched, and then got up to gather her things. Once everything was stowed on Ah-Un's back and they were about to leave, she stopped Sesshoumaru.

 

“Sesshoumaru? Could I have a few minutes alone with Rin?” He looked hesitant, probably considering whether or not to leave them alone in the woods, but she continued. “Ah-Un can find the way into the village, can't you?” she said, turning to the dragon, who nodded both heads.

 

“Very well. Jaken. Come.”

 

“Hai, my lord!” the imp squawked and hurried after his master.

 

Vanessa watched them disappear into the foliage and knelt in front of Rin, who was looking up at her curiously. “Sweetie, I need to talk to you.”

 

Rin's happy little smile fell along with Vanessa's heart. The older girl winced. She had used similar words to tell her about Sesshoumaru.

 

“What's wrong?” Rin asked warily.

 

“Nothing is wrong, not really, but I needed to tell you that I'm going to be leaving soon.”

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“I'm going to try to go back to my home.”

 

“Oh. So… when will you be back? You won't be gone long, right?”

 

Vanessa felt tears sting her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “I'm not sure if I will be able to come back,” she responded thickly.

 

Rin stared at her, her lip quivering as realization set in. “B-but why? Don't you love us anymore?” Vanessa reached out to her, but she backed away. “No,” Rin said. “Did we do something wrong? Did Sesshoumaru-sama tell you that you have to leave?”

 

“No, no, it's nothing like that. Sesshoumaru-sama told me that I could stay if I wanted to-”

 

“Then you don't want to stay with us?”

 

“That's not it either, Rin. I love you very much. You and Sesshoumaru.” And that's the problem. “I wish I could stay with you, but I can't.”

 

“Why?” This time when Vanessa reached out, Rin let herself be drawn into her embrace, and buried her face in her shoulder.

 

“It's time for me to go. There are people at home who are waiting for me. I don't belong here,” Vanessa said.

 

“B-but you do. You belong right here with me and Sesshoumaru-sama.”

 

“I wish that were true,” she said softly while she stroked Rin's hair. It just wasn't as simple as Rin thought it was. Sesshoumaru would never love a human, and if Vanessa ever admitted how she felt to herself, how could she stay there, knowing he would never return her feelings? And then there was her family and Bryce. She hoped she was making the right choice.

 

“But if you leave, then we'll be waiting for you here. Don't go, please?” The little girl turned shining eyes on Vanessa, and she found that she had no answer to that. At least this time she'll be able to say good-bye.

 

Giving Rin one last squeeze, she lifted her up onto Ah-Un's back. “Let's go meet the others. I think some breakfast will make you feel a little better.”

 

“I'm going to miss you, Nessa-neesan,” Rin said miserably, as Vanessa climbed behind her.

 

“I'll miss you, too, Rin. All of you.” She hugged Rin close and Ah-Un ambled his way toward the village.

 

VvVvVvVvV

 

Sesshoumaru stepped back into the shadows as Ah-Un passed by. The dragon turned one head toward him for a moment, but continued on his path toward the village. He had heard every word, felt everything she did. It was low of him to eavesdrop, he knew, but Vanessa wouldn't give him a straight answer, and Rin hadn't fared much better, either. However, Vanessa did tell her that part of the reason she was leaving was for her family… and her fiancée. That man didn't deserve her. No one did, except… Sesshoumaru shook his head, banishing the thought. She did tell Rin that she loved him, though, but that didn't mean that she was in love with him.

 

He growled to himself and started quickly for the village. What did he care whether she loved him or not? The warmth he felt at the very idea meant nothing. Besides, she was leaving. Even if she stayed, he couldn't love a human. His credibility as a ruler would vanish. His duty had to come first this time… even if it meant he would never see her again. He stopped for a moment. Vanessa was setting her duty first as well. She was choosing to honor her promise to a man over anything she might feel for Rin… or for him. She hadn't told Rin a single untruth. She did want to stay here. Sesshoumaru sped through the forest; he couldn't let Ah-Un get there before he did, or Vanessa might suspect.

 

As it happened, Ah-Un came into the village from a different angle than Sesshoumaru. Sometimes the taiyoukai wondered if there wasn't more to the two-headed beast than he let on. He closed himself to whatever he might have been feeling and crossed the open space surrounding the village to take Ah-Un's lead. Some of the villagers were growing anxious at seeing the twin-headed dragon, regardless of the two humans on his back, and he didn't want any more trouble with the village than he already had.

 

He led them to Kaede's hut, where Jaken was pacing, impatiently waiting for his master to arrive.

 

“Jaken, take Ah-Un into the forest and conceal him from these villagers. Wait with him there.”

 

Once Rin, Vanessa, and their bags were removed, the imp hurried to obey. Sesshoumaru strode confidently into the hut, and held the door flap aside for the humans to enter.

 

“You're here!” Kagome cried and gave Vanessa a warm hug. “You're just in time for breakfast. Have a seat, we're almost finished.”

 

Vanessa sat near the fire, and immediately Rin climbed onto her lap. Clearly she wanted to be as close to her `Neesan' as possible for the time they had left. Sesshoumaru spared them a glance and moved to the back of the hut to take a seat away from the humans and his hanyou half-brother.

 

“Oi, Sesshoumaru.”

 

He looked up to find Inuyasha smirking at him from the opposite wall. “Inuyasha.”

 

“I heard a rumor about you not too long ago.”

 

Sesshoumaru fought the urge to roll his eyes. “And what might this rumor be?”

 

“I heard that for a long time, you were, what's the right word… incapacitated?”

 

He knew where this was going and narrowed his eyes in warning, but Inuyasha didn't take the hint.

 

“From what I hear, when you finally did come to, you were weak as a day-old pup. How does it feel, Sesshoumaru? Knowing that even you might die? But that's not all I heard.”

 

Sesshoumaru growled a warning this time, which was joined by Kagome's warning, “Inuyasha…” but Inuyasha's smirk only grew. He seemed to think he had his brother cornered.

 

“I also heard that you were stupid enough to open your doors to one of Naraku's spies, and that she -”

 

Faster than anyone could see, Sesshoumaru had a hand around Inuyasha's throat and slammed him against the wall. The back of his head bounced off the wood planks with a satisfying `thunk,' but Sesshoumaru wasn't finished yet.

 

“Inuyasha!” “Sesshoumaru!” Kagome and Vanessa cried at the same time, but he ignored them.

 

“Finish that sentence, half-breed,” he snarled, inches from Inuyasha's face, “say one more word and I will end your miserable existence right here, right now. Then, finally, our father's blood will be wiped clean. You think this Sesshoumaru is weak?” He dug his claws into the soft flesh of his half-brother's neck, not to kill, but enough to prove his point, and lifted him several inches off the floor. “Tell me again how weak I am,” he growled dangerously low. “As for Naraku, his time will come.” Sesshoumaru stared into Inuyasha's defiant eyes, daring him to speak, and reveling in the flicker of fear that passed briefly through them, only for an instant, but it was there nonetheless. He was vaguely aware of Inuyasha's companions reaching for their weapons, but it was a soft hand on his arm that brought him back to the moment.

 

“Sesshoumaru please let him go.”

 

“You are not worth my time,” he snarled at the hanyou and dropped him into a coughing heap on the floor before shaking off Vanessa's hand and storming out of the hut. Every eye bored a hole in his back as he left and knew that they were rethinking this shaky truce they had been entertaining. He knew that he should not have let Inuyasha agitate him, but he didn't care. He was angry with himself for falling into the very trap that Inuyasha spoke of, and angry with himself for growing so attached to Vanessa, only to have her tell him she was leaving with barely an explanation. Inuyasha was the easiest and most convenient target for that pent up anger. He brought it upon himself, really. The hanyou should know by now not to provoke him.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” He sighed; he really didn't want to talk at the moment, but if it had to be anyone… Sesshoumaru turned to see Vanessa stepping warily through the underbrush, and was a little surprised at how far he had gone from the hut. “Are you okay?”

 

He turned back to the direction he had been facing, and didn't say anything.

 

“They tried to stop me from following you. They said you were dangerous and shouldn't be trusted.” She stepped around him and forced him to look at her.

 

“Then why did you?” he asked finally. Why did this human do anything that she did?

 

“I don't know… because I care, and I do trust you.”

 

Sesshoumaru watched his own hand seem to take on a mind of its own and reach out to trace the curls around Vanessa's face. She smiled up and him, and he snatched his hand away, glaring over her shoulder into the trees behind her. “I let my anger get the better of me,” he admitted, and was surprised to hear her huff. When he focused on her again, she had her arms crossed over her chest and pouted angrily.

 

“Well, Inuyasha shouldn't have said those things. That was downright mean.”

 

She looked so… dare he think it? … adorable, that he almost broke down and laughed at her indignation. He couldn't suppress the twitch in his lips, but she didn't seem to notice. She appeared to be imagining just what she would like to do to the hanyou for his rudeness. Slowly, Sesshoumaru got himself back under control. All it really took was the thought that she was leaving… leaving him, and the mask wasn't so hard to put back on.

 

“You should go back or they'll wonder what unthinkable things I've done to you.”

 

She smiled. “Come with me? We are here for a reason, after all, and we won't get anything done with you moping out here.” Sesshoumaru scowled at her, but her smile only broadened into a grin. “You are way too easy to tease. Come on!” she said and suddenly grabbed his hand, tugging him back toward the hut.

 

For several steps, he could only stare dazedly at their joined hands before, again, his took on a mind of its own and closed his fingers around hers. She seemed just as surprised as he was at his actions and looked over her shoulder at him, and then she smiled. Far too quickly, and yet not nearly quickly enough, the edge of the forest came into view and Vanessa released him, understanding him far better than he could have hoped. Not another word passed between them as they entered the hut, but Sesshoumaru caught her glare directed at Inuyasha, and his heart warmed a bit. Let someone take care of you… her voice echoed in his mind, but he denied it. He didn't need anyone to `take care' of him.

 

The others eyed him warily, appearing ready to reach for their weapons with less than a moment's notice, but Sesshoumaru walked silently to the wall he had previously occupied and sat, closing his eyes as if there wasn't an ounce of tension in the air.

 

Slowly, movement began again and breakfast was served. He politely declined, but watched Rin and Vanessa eagerly dig into their portions. Kagome's eyes repeatedly flicked from Vanessa to him and she wore a knowing smile, then Sesshoumaru caught her eye and narrowed his. She turned her attention back to her food then, but that smile never left her face. What is she thinking? Sesshoumaru wondered to himself. It was a little unnerving.

 

Finally everyone had eaten their fill and Kagome was directing everyone in cleaning up. Sesshoumaru was watching the proceedings with calculated disinterest when suddenly Kagome froze. She had been drying a bowl and very nearly dropped it. No one else seemed to notice; they were too focused on getting the cleaning done so that they could get started on more enjoyable activities.

 

“Miko, what troubles you?” he said, and she jumped out of her daze to look at him.

 

“It's… I had to be sure… I sense a jewel shard coming this way.” That got everyone's attention. All eyes turned to her to see what else she had to say. “I thought, at first, that it was several demons with shards, but there aren't that many left, not enough to account for the amount of power I feel coming. I think Naraku is on his way here, and he's brought the jewel with him.”

 

“Naraku? What's he doing thinking he can show his face here?” Inuyasha demanded.

 

The monk rose and picked up his staff. “I'll go warn the villagers to stay inside. How long would you say before he gets here, Kagome?”

 

“I… I'm not sure. He's coming quickly… but not as fast as Kouga.”

 

“He knows Kagome can sense the jewel,” Sesshoumaru said, drawing questioning eyes to himself, and fought the urge to roll his own. “Isn't it strange that he didn't simply spirit himself here as he has done in the past? He wants us to know that he is coming.” He frowned for a moment. Could it be that he wants me to know that he is coming?

 

Sesshoumaru stood abruptly and started for the door. “Rin, Vanessa. Come with me,” he said and then turned to Kagome. “Unless you wish for the young kitsune to be a part of this battle, I suggest that he come with me as well.”

 

Shippou hopped onto Kagome's shoulder at the first mention of Naraku, and now he eyed Sesshoumaru warily. “Go on, Shippou. Rin and Vanessa will need someone to watch over them when Sesshoumaru-sama comes back… That is… you will help us, won't you, Sesshoumaru-sama?”

 

He nodded once. “I will do my part.” He couldn't stand by when Vanessa and Rin might be caught in the cross-fire, and he would not run away from Naraku.

 

The kitsune still looked apprehensive, but he looked from Vanessa to Rin and back to Kagome before finally making up his mind and hopping from Kagome's shoulder to Vanessa's. She staggered momentarily under his sudden weight, but gave him a smile and a pat on the head before following Sesshoumaru out the door. “We'll be okay, Kagome,” she reassured Shippou's surrogate mother.

 

Sesshoumaru followed the scent trail of Jaken and Ah-Un to where they waited just inside the trees. It was as good a place as any, as long as they remained quiet and unseen. “You still have the blade?” he asked Vanessa. She nodded. “If you should need to use it, do not be frightened, but Jaken and Ah-Un should be able to handle anything that gets this far.”

 

“I can help, too!” Shippou chimed. Sesshoumaru said nothing. The young kitsune may have mastered a few tricks and illusions, but he was no nine-tails, not yet. But it would get them nowhere to discourage him so he kept his silence.

 

“Stay here, and stay hidden. No matter what you see or hear, under no circumstances are you to leave this place until I come for you. Is that understood?” Shippou, Rin, and Vanessa all nodded.

 

By this time Sesshoumaru was able to detect faint traces of Naraku's miasma on the wind. It wouldn't be long now. “Jaken,” he said as he approached, “Naraku is on his way here. You and Ah-Un are to watch over these three. If anything should happen to them…” He didn't have to finish the threat; he knew that Jaken knew that a punishment of certain pain and possibly death awaited him if he failed.

 

Sesshoumaru turned and was about to go back to the others when he felt a tug on his empty sleeve. Vanessa clutched the silk as though she were holding his hand - he almost wished that she were. Now is not the time for such thoughts, he told himself harshly. “What is it?”

 

She glanced over her shoulder briefly and then looked up at him. “I don't know much about Naraku, but if he's the one behind… if he…” she stammered, seemingly unable to voice her concern. “Just be careful, okay? He can't be happy that you escaped him last time.”

 

He stared at her. Suddenly he had the strangest feeling that he wasn't going to see her again. Ridiculous. But he nodded. “Stay here, until I come for you,” he said again, promising without words that he would return. She finally released his sleeve and he continued on his way back to Kaede's hut, shaking off the odd feeling and setting aside his concern for his humans. He had to trust in Jaken and Ah-Un's abilities to protect them; he couldn't afford to divide his attention.

 

“He is not far off,” Sesshoumaru said as he approached the waiting group of fighters. Inuyasha grunted and muttered something about stating the obvious. He ignored his half-brother and assessed the situation.

 

Kagome had a full quiver on her back and clutched her bow a bit nervously, but she stood her ground. The monk and taijiya stood on either side of the transformed fire cat, all of them appearing as if they had awaited this day for a very long time. Finally, Sesshoumaru's eyes fell on Inuyasha. His half-brother's hand rested lightly on Tetsusaiga, the sword that should have been Sesshoumaru's, but his face was set in determination. He meant to avenge the dead priestess, but could he? True, the hanyou had grown in strength and skill since acquiring Tetsusaiga, but would it be enough?

 

Three humans, a fire cat and a hanyou, a far cry from any battle team Sesshoumaru had yet worked with, but they were all he had on such short notice. What had happened to the days when he would have taken on Naraku with nothing more than his skill with a sword? Did he really need to concern himself with these others? He should order them out and fight Naraku himself. After all, this was his fight.

 

He was fairly certain that the hanyou was coming for him, and it simply coincidence that he chose to make his presence known when he was in the company of Inuyasha and his friends. Perhaps Naraku had grown overconfident with his increasing number of jewel shards and hoped to take them all out at once. Sesshoumaru wouldn't let that happen. This time, his attacks would hit home. This time, the fight would be personal. “Naraku is mine,” he growled.

 

“Like hell he is!” Inuyasha exploded, joined by cautious, but equally heated objections from the others. It would seem that they all had `personal' reasons for wanting Naraku dead.

 

“Then we work together. Do as I say and you stand a better chance of defeating Naraku than any of you do alone.”

 

“Who died and made you the boss?”

 

Sesshoumaru turned a sharp eye on his brother. “More youkai than you can hope to have killed in your pathetic lifetime.” One would think Inuyasha sometimes forgot who his elder brother really was.

 

“Well, I won't take orders from a bastard like you.”

 

“Inuyasha, I think we should listen to him,” Kagome said quietly, trying to calm the hanyou.

 

“What? Now you're siding with him?”

 

“I'm not siding with anyone, Inuyasha. We need to work together. Sesshoumaru has seen all of us fight. He knows what we can do. Do you really think he could have held the Western lands for as long as he has if he didn't have at least some tactical knowledge?” She flashed Sesshoumaru an apologetic look at her wording, but he ignored it.

 

“Inuyasha,” the monk broke in, “Naraku won't expect us to follow Sesshoumaru-sama. He knows how you two feel about each other.”

 

“This might be the change we need to finally defeat him,” the taijiya put in.

 

“Keh, fine, but if you even think about sacrificing one of my friends, you'll have hell to pay, Sesshoumaru.”

 

Sesshoumaru ignored the threat and began discussing battle plans with their few remaining minutes. Ultimately it came down to separating Naraku from any detachments or other youkai, and opening him up to attack. He would have liked a few more minutes at least so solidify a plan, but time waits for no man - or youkai, in this case. Their hasty plan would just have to do.

 

The air grew rank with stench of Naraku's miasma. From the far end of the empty main street, Sesshoumaru saw a lone, dark figure approaching, and drew Tokijin. Kagome nocked an arrow and prepared to draw her bow. Sango shifted the weight of Hiraikotsu on her back. Prayer beads clinked together as Miroku readied himself to open his Kazaana. Inuyasha drew Tetsusaiga, and with a whoosh it transformed into the fang of their father. They were tensed and ready, a rag-tag group, to be sure, but they fought well together. Sesshoumaru could only hope that their spirit made up for their shortcomings.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru,” Naraku drawled when he finally came to a halt before the small band of fighters. “You've finally come out of hiding. I was wondering when I would see you again. We have some… unfinished business.”

 

Sesshoumaru felt the others shifting around him, probably wondering what `business' he had with Naraku. He left them and stepped forward to face his opponent. “I have no business with you, except to wipe your presence from this world,” he said evenly.

 

“Oh, but you do,” Naraku countered with a dark chuckle, crossing his arms over his chest and standing as relaxed as if there weren't five other people forming a loose arc around them, ready to tear him to shreds. “I want to know how you did it. My plan was foolproof, and you escaped. How?”

 

“What's he talking about?” Inuyasha demanded, but Sesshoumaru ignored him. Apparently he didn't know as much about that `rumor' as he thought he did.

 

“Enough of this foolishness,” he said, tightening his grip on Tokijin.

 

“Sesshoumaru, Sesshoumaru,” Naraku patronized, “You're hiding things from me again. You know how I dislike that.”

 

Sudden memories of tortures within his dreams came to mind, but Sesshoumaru glared at Naraku, refusing to be swayed by mere memory. If Naraku thought that would be enough to cow him into submission, he was sorely mistaken. He knew one world from the other and Naraku did not have that power in this one.

 

Naraku took his crimson gaze from Sesshoumaru and slowly slid from one to another in the small group, searching for something. Realization hit like a boulder; Naraku was looking for Vanessa. He didn't know it yet, but she was the key to his escape from the trap. Sesshoumaru kept his expression neutral and his thoughts carefully away from everything to do with Vanessa or her hiding place, and willed the others to do the same. He watched Naraku intently, waiting for any sign that he knew.

 

Finally the hanyou locked eyes with Sesshoumaru once more, blood red warring with gold. “That human I saw the last time you were out of your palace,” Naraku said almost thoughtfully, “where is she? And the little one?”

 

Sesshoumaru held his tongue. One word, one denial would be all that Naraku needed to know that they might still be around somewhere. He willed the others not to give anything away, but despite his efforts, the hanyou seemed able to read exactly what he hadn't said. An evil smile split his face. “She is here, isn't she? I find it curious that you kept her around. I wonder where she is…”

 

“I'm tired of waiting! Kaze no Kizu!” For once, Sesshoumaru was thankful for Inuyasha's brashness. He diverted Naraku's attention from his search for Vanessa, however briefly. Unfortunately, once his barrier had harmlessly deflected the waves of power, Naraku ordered his attack. The sky darkened with the arrival of his weak, but numerous youkai, and wave upon wave of them surged toward them.

 

Hiraikotsu flew, ripping youkai to shreds by the dozen. Inuyasha sought the Kaze no Kizu, time and again. Miroku's Kazaana devoured countless youkai, but always warily. So far Naraku had not released his Saimyoushou, negating that particular attack, but that didn't mean he never would. Kagome's arrows whizzed through the air, disintegrating every youkai in their path. Sesshoumaru unleashed his Kenatsu, blue streaks criss-crossing with the yellow power of Inuyasha's Kaze no Kizu in their paths of destruction. Souryuuha, the Dragon Strike, would be wasted on the likes of these, but the time to use that technique would come soon enough.

 

Despite all of their long-range attacks, youkai surged in and among them. They were easily cut down, but their numbers seemed hardly to diminish. All the while, Naraku stood back and watched, hovering just above the battle in a spherical barrier. Before long, Sesshoumaru heard a sound that he had been dreading since the start: a roar from behind him that could only be Ah-Un. So he has found them, he thought grimly, but he heard the crackle and felt the tingle that signified Ah-Un's use of his blue lightning attack. He spun to strike down a youkai foolishly attacking him from behind and as his gaze passed over the hiding place, he saw the twin-headed dragon in the air, striking down youkai before they could reach the trees. But they were forcing him back, away from the ones he was trying to protect. Below, bouts of fire erupted between the trees, proving that Jaken was doing his part as well.

 

Sesshoumaru opened himself up momentarily to his link with Vanessa and found her fear, and anxiety, but not terror. She wasn't afraid for her life, not yet. Far too trusting. But, for the moment, they were as safe as they could be. Immediately he squashed his sense of her into the corners of his consciousness and returned to the task at hand. Slowly, the horde was falling under their attacks, but they were tiring. Sesshoumaru was hardly winded, but he knew the humans would not have his endurance. If they hoped to fight Naraku to the end, something had to be done about all of these weak youkai.

 

Then, as if in response to Sesshoumaru's unspoken want, Naraku called off the demons. Immediately the attacks ceased, but those that had driven Ah-Un away continued to hold him at bay. The dragon snarled at them, darting over and around them, trying desperately to return to his charges, but it was no use.

 

“Finally ready to fight us yourself?” Inuyasha called up to their opponent.

 

He returned to the ground and strode calmly toward the group until he was about ten paces away. “Sesshoumaru, I still want your power,” he said, and then he smirked. “And I think I might know a way to get it.”

 

Suddenly, thick tentacles sprouted from Naraku's back. They seemed to be everywhere at once. For every one hacked off, it seemed that two more appeared in its place, and no one seemed able to get a clean shot at him. Is this how he intends to defeat us? By overpowering us with limbs? Sesshoumaru thought as he sliced through yet another green-brown appendage.

 

The air was growing thick with Naraku's miasma, each cut to his body releasing more of the foul-smelling mist. Only Kagome's purifying arrows protected her and the monk from its poison. They couldn't continue like this. Still, he continued to slice through the limbs and tried to work his way closer to Naraku himself. Inuyasha unleashed his Kaze no Kizu once or twice, but gave that up after it broke harmlessly against the barrier. What are you planning?

 

It seemed pointless for Naraku to simply throw his tentacles at them, unless he meant to smother them with miasma, but that didn't seem to get him anywhere either. Between Sesshoumaru's immunity, Sango's mask and Kagome's purifying arrows, the miasma was a nuisance at best. Both sides were effectively at a standstill. Sesshoumaru and the rest were cutting down every attack and Naraku seemed to refuse to do anything that would bring him outside his barrier. It didn't make sense. What was he missing?

 

Just then a startled cry sounded from the direction of the forest. Rin. Vanessa. Sesshoumaru was about to turn when a severed tentacle retracted past him, cut cleanly as though with a sharp blade. Good girl, he praised, but something was wrong. How did Naraku get so far past all of them without notice? He was only distracting them, Sesshoumaru realized, targeting the weakest of the party.

 

“Surrender to me, and your humans might survive,” Naraku offered smugly. “Continue to defy me and I will kill them where they stand.”

 

Sesshoumaru growled. Naraku didn't know him as well as he thought he did. He would do whatever he could to protect Rin and Vanessa, but on his terms, and bargaining with the half-breed didn't fit into his plan. Flames erupted from within the trees and more burned and severed tentacles pulled out. Jaken could still fight, and as long as he had breath in his small body, he would defend his charges and give the others the time they needed.

 

Sesshoumaru darted to the side, where several more of Naraku's appendages were making their way toward the forest and sliced cleanly through them, but just as they slithered away to regenerate, a dozen or more shot past him into the trees, and more followed after them. He couldn't cut through them fast enough to keep them away from Rin and Vanessa, and if he left that task to go to them, Naraku would have them in an instant. Where were the others? Couldn't they see the danger to their kitsune? But sharp glance out of the corner of his eye told him that they were holding Naraku back just as desperately as he was.

 

They needed to regroup. They needed to break through Naraku's barrier. They needed… More flames lit up the trees, and then Jaken came tumbling out into the clearing. He struggled to get up and then lay still. Naraku laughed, and Sesshoumaru began to see red even before Vanessa's scream rent the air, a cry of pain and fear that made time seem to stand still. Even before the last echo had died, Sesshoumaru was striding quickly to face Naraku once more.

 

“Vanessa!” the miko screamed and moved to run to her. Ah-Un gave a draconic roar of rage, but still he was held back.

 

“Stay where you are!” Sesshoumaru barked. All eyes suddenly turned to him.

 

“What?!” seemed to be the general reaction from them. Couldn't they see? This was what Naraku wanted. Together they might break through that blasted jewel-enhanced barrier and finally end this. Sesshoumaru was loath to admit it, but if they separated, no matter how pathetic an excuse for a half-demon coward Naraku was, they wouldn't get past that barrier.

 

“Do not move from your positions,” he repeated evenly.

 

“You heartless… Vanessa is hurt! She could die!” You think I don't know that? He wanted to run to her himself, but he couldn't. Not yet.

 

“This is not over yet. First, finish him, then tend to the wounded.” He could feel her glare and the spike of her aura, but he would not be swayed. This was the way it had to be.

 

“So…” Naraku sneered, “Have I been misled? Do you not care for the humans? Vanessa, is it? And the girl-child?”

 

“This ends here, half-breed.”

 

“You really think that you can defeat me, Lord Sesshoumaru? I thought you would have realized by now. You are weak.” A tentacle slowly retracted past him, taunting him; the tip was red and glistening. It was blood, Vanessa's blood. He scented the air to be certain, but he already knew. Sesshoumaru's chest suddenly felt tight - he couldn't breathe, and for just a moment, a red haze fell over his vision, but he forced all of that into a tight ball. The rage, the fear, everything that went with it was crushed down to a marble. I. Am. Not. Weak, he told himself, and glanced to his left to catch Inuyasha's eye.

 

To his credit, Inuyasha seemed to understand the silent cue and nodded. In his next breath, he unleashed his Bakuryuha. Not a moment later, a glowing arrow, infused with both the powers of Kagome and a sutra from the monk, shot through the whirlwind, combining spiritual powers with youki in a swirling, glowing vortex. Sesshoumaru, hadn't expected Kagome to join in, much less use the monk's power with her own, but if it helped break the barrier… Finally, he called Souryuuha to join with it, putting into the attack every ounce of the rage he had smothered. The attacks combined to form an awesome funnel, swirling throughout with blue lightning and glowing holy power, and it headed straight for a very surprised looking Naraku, crashing into his barrier.

 

Naraku's barrier cracked and broke, opening him up to their combined attack. Clearly, this was not something he had anticipated. He was hurt, badly, and seemed barely able to hold himself together when it was over, but with the power of the jewel, he formed another, stronger barrier and spirited himself away before they could finish him. “Coward,” Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat, and then more loudly, “This will not be the last we see of him.”

 

“Is it ever?” Miroku countered where he knelt wearily beside Sango. She was battered, and exhausted, but she let the monk tend to her as long as he didn't - SMACK!

 

“Hentai,” she muttered.

 

Kagome took just a moment to watch the youkai flee after their master before sprinting to the place where Vanessa should have been safe and hidden. Sesshoumaru spun on his heel and strode after her. Ah-Un was already there, standing over her fallen form, sniffing her and keening mournfully. Before Kagome reached her side, the taiyoukai called out to her. “Do not touch her.” The miko paused and turned back to him.

 

“But she's-”

 

“Do not touch her.” Must he constantly repeat himself with these people? His long strides quickly overtook her and brought him to the fallen woman's side. Ah-Un stepped aside and left, returning shortly with Jaken's limp form. He was breathing, Sesshoumaru noted absently before focusing his attention on Vanessa. The ground beneath her was damp with her blood, and he tried to remain calm, to quiet his pounding heart. It felt as though someone had run him through with a dagger, and twisted it inside him with each passing moment. A jagged wound betrayed the tentacle's path into her body. She was half-curled on her side and lying awkwardly… He placed his hand on her shoulder to roll her onto her back, and had to fight the urge to recoil from how cold she felt already, but before he could so much as shift her weight, a blue flame erupted in his face.

 

“Get away!” Shippou yelled from where his head was buried under Vanessa's arm, eliciting a growl from the taiyoukai.

 

“Kit, mind yourself.”

 

The kitsune stiffened and slowly raised his head. “S-Sesshoumaru? Kagome!” he cried and launched himself into the miko's arms.

 

Sesshoumaru ignored them and turned his attention back to Vanessa, this time rolling her over unhindered. Her hand, which always seemed warm, even in the rain, was like ice when it brushed his knee, but that wasn't what made him freeze where he knelt. Rin was curled up with her arms over her head and her eyes squeezed shut in a small dip in the ground, right where Vanessa had been lying. A small whimper escaped her and Sesshoumaru released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. She… she shielded her… with her own body.

 

“Rin,” he said evenly, betraying nothing of the sense of loss that he felt.

 

The girl flinched, but then sat up, looking around as though in a daze. When her eyes fell on Vanessa, however, she gasped and darted to her side, frantically shaking her shoulder.

 

“Neesan! Wake up… You have to wake up!” But she wouldn't. Sesshoumaru knew that she couldn't - she had given herself to save Rin. Why would she do such a thing? Rin was not her child. He stood and glanced at Kagome while she comforted the distraught kitsune. Like mother and son… Rin called Vanessa `Neesan,' but did she really see her as `Kaasan'? Her mother? Perhaps Vanessa felt the same. What other explanation could there be for what she did? Then why does… did… she want to leave? he asked himself, desperately trying to understand.

 

Sesshoumaru returned his focus to the woman at his feet, resting his hand on Tenseiga, and stared down at her. She looked at peace, as though she were merely sleeping. There was no evidence of pain or fear in her face. Only the blood gave away what had happened. He glanced down at his hand on Tenseiga and realized that he was still awaiting the pulse that would signal its intent to bring her back. He frowned, but then his concentration was interrupted by the miko. “You! If you had gone to her sooner, she wouldn't have died,” she accused. “We could have done something to save her!”

 

“If I had gone to her sooner, you all might have died,” he responded evenly, betraying nothing of his inner turmoil. He didn't turn, but instead looked down on Rin, who had left Vanessa and buried her face in the silk of his hakama. Had he sacrificed her? Was there anything he could have done?

 

“Don't you care? After all this time that she's been with you, don't you care that she's gone?” Kagome cried, tears spilling down her cheeks.

 

She was human. He wasn't supposed to care any more about whether she died than any other of her race. But he did. He wanted to turn back time and keep her from ever coming to this village, to persuade her to stay. She may not have been happy, but she would have been alive. “Miko, do not presume to know the mind of this Sesshoumaru,” he said with a snarl that he wasn't sure was directed at her or himself.

 

“Then why did you stop us? We could have done something!”

 

Sesshoumaru glared at her and then down at the sword under his hand. Tenseiga still had not pulsed. Why? She did not deserve to die, not here, not now, and certainly not like this. Surely the sword knew that. This was not her era, how could it have been her destiny to die here? `I like to think I have some control over what happens to me,' her voice echoed in his mind. So if destiny wasn't what triggered Tenseiga… what then? What are you waiting for, Tenseiga? What do you want? Sesshoumaru unsheathed the blade of Heaven and held it up in front of his face. Closing his eyes, he projected his thoughts to his father's fang, Hear me, Tenseiga. Never have I asked anything of you, but now I implore you, return to me the life of this mortal woman.

 

Nothing. He asked - he asked nicely, even pleaded with the blade. What more would it take? Sesshoumaru snapped his eyes open and snarled at his father's sword. “Worthless blade! Heed my command!” He ignored to looks his outburst earned him. He didn't care - the guilt that the miko had accused him of weighed heavily on him. Guilt… Something he could not remember feeling before Vanessa came into his world, but now she was gone. He knew she was leaving, but not like this… She didn't even say good-bye.

 

Could he have done something different and still ensured that they would all have lived to see the end of the battle? Could Vanessa have been saved? He decided that it didn't matter now. What's done was done, and there was nothing he could do now to change it. His only concern at the moment was the woman at his feet and the unresponsive blade in his hand. She was the only female of any race in centuries to catch even a glimpse of the key to his heart, and he fought tooth and nail against the idea that she would not come back to him.

 

A/N: Oh dear… what have I done?